Author: IANS
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: November 1, 2010
URL: http://www.dailypioneer.com/293705/Krishna-hopes-of-Chinese-fair-play-in-trade.html
External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna Monday
said he hoped China will provide a level playing field to India in pharmaceuticals
and IT sector.
"There is a capacity for enormous growth...
Hope China will provide India a level playing field in pharmaceuticals and
IT sector where we face barriers," said Krishna.
He was speaking at the inaugural session of
"China and India: 60 years and beyond" organised by the foreign
affairs department of the Congress party.
Krishna said that the relationship between
India and China is grossly under-realised and that both the countries face
similar challenges, including globalisation, food and energy security, inclusive
growth and skill development.
The two countries should examine if they were
making best use of opportunities, he said.
"Are we making best of opportunities?
Can we not be more sensitive to each other's concerns," Krishna asked.
He said the hotline between the two prime
ministers will be operational soon.
Quoting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Krishna
said the world is large enough to accommodate the aspirations of the two countries.
Calling for sustained engagement along with
high degree of mutual sensitivity, the minister said: "The trade between
the two countries will touch the target of $60 billion. The economic engagement
needs to go beyond trade."
Bilateral trade volumes crossed $30.37 billion
in the first half of the 2010-11 calendar year.
The conference was also addressed by Zhou
Yu Kong, member of the standing committee of the politburo of the Communist
Party of China Central Committee, and Karan Singh, chairman of the foreign
affairs department of the Congress.
Senior leaders from the Congress and the Communist
party of China will also address the day-long seminar.
